Weekend Highlights: Brilliant Bees, Super Southampton, Legendary Lincoln and Amazing AFC Fylde

Photography by Stevensportshots

Division 1 South East

Queens Park Rangers Women FC 1 - 3 London Bees FC

In a fixture between two strong sides, it was London Bees who grabbed 3 goals to propel them into 4th place. After claiming the victory, London Bees are now only 4 points off league leaders Real Bedford Women FC whereas Queens Park Rangers Women have remained in 6th place (they still have two games in hand over 4th and 5th place however).

The game started quickly with the Bees having lots of early position and getting forward against QPR’s backline. The R’s defence stayed resolute however and was able to defend against these early attacks well. The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute by QPR when their striker Grace Stanley, who was their player of the year 23/24, found space in the box and fired into the top corner.

However, QPR did not maintain their lead for long and the scores were levelled only minutes later when number 15 Shamoy Campbell did well to slam the ball past the keeper into the top corner. The Bees then nearly took the lead just before half time with Campbell turning creator this time and perfectly teeing up Millie Isherwood whose effort was well-saved by keeper Nicole Melling.

After the break, Millie Isherwood made no mistake this time and found the back of the net following an impressive finish just on the edge of the area. As the half progressed, both teams were getting forward trying to find a crucial goal - a goal that came for the Bees in the 72nd minute courtesy of a Sam Lanza tap in.

With the Bees now two goals ahead, the deficit was too much for the R’s to overcome and this fixture in the Division One South East finished 3-1.

Division 1 South West

Southampton FC Women 1 - 0 Keynsham Town Women FC

This tightly contested meeting between 12th placed Southampton Women and 6th placed Keynsham Town Women FC resulted in Southampton claiming their first 3 three points of their league campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory.

Before the game, Southampton’s manager James Lally stated that his team had much improved between now and their previous fixture against Keynsham Town and this was reflected in his team’s performance on the day. The game started quickly with both sides having attempts in the early minutes. In only the 4th minute of play, Southampton’s keeper and new signing Nicole Gair was called into action and forced to make a quick save to deny Keynsham.

From the start of the game, Southampton’s pacy threat, Chloe Ball looked dangerous and she had two good first-half efforts saved by Keynsham Town’s keeper. As we moved towards half time, both teams continued to look dangerous and made several threatening breaks which ultimately came to nothing.

It was not until the 63rd minute that the deadlock was broken by The Sirens’ forward Ball who took an excellent touch before dispatching the ball into the net. With their first victory in the FAWNL 24/25 league campaign within sight, the Sirens showed great grit and determination to defend resolutely. After around 5 minutes of extra time, the whistle was blown to the delight of the Southampton players.

With only 5 games remaining in their FAWNL Division 1 South East season, the Sirens find themselves 6 points off safety. Could this excellent result against a team 6 places above them mark the beginning of the great escape?

Division One Midlands (County Cup)

Lincoln United FC Women 2 - 0 Gainsborough Trinity Community FC Women

In this crucial semi-final match in the Lincolnshire County Cup, it was Lincoln United FC Women who claimed a 2-0 victory that will propel them into the final. After having won the trophy last season following an impressive 9-0 victory in the final, Lincoln United will be hoping to retain their title this season. Lincoln City Women FC, their league rivals in the Division One Midlands are the only team that currently stand in their way.

The game was fast-paced from the off with Lincoln United scoring within the 1st minute of play. Lucy Farrow, their 23/24 player’s player of the season, volleyed an effort into the top corner after being put through by Alice Hayes. Only 11 minutes later, Farrow continued her excellent start to the game and after finding herself 1v1 with the keeper, she kept her composure to double Lincoln’s advantage. Despite being two leagues below Lincoln however, Gainsborough Trinity Community FC Women still displayed some impressive signs and found themselves behind the Lincoln defence a few times with their efforts just being fired wide.

As the second half began, Lincoln made two changes bringing on Eloise Hembrough and midfielder Izzy Thorpe. The play in the second half became more scrappy with both sides struggling to keep hold of position and play nice football. Farrow continued to impress however and she nearly grabbed a hattrick after another volley which was narrowly fired over the bar. Farrow later nearly got an assist after providing a pinpoint ball for Frankie Wilson whose effort was well saved by the Trinity keeper.

The game finished 2-0 with Farrow being awarded the player of the match accolade for her impressive performance. All eyes are now set to be on the final between Lincoln City Women and Lincoln United Women which is sure to be a great spectacle.

Division 1 North

AFC Fylde Women FC 1 - 1 Middlesbrough Women FC

In this clash, it was the underdogs and bottom of the table AFC Fylde Women FC who managed to gain a valuable point against 2nd placed Middlesbrough Women FC. This was a crucial point for AFC Fylde as it now means that the side is only 3 points off safety with 2 games in hand on 11th placed Doncaster Rovers Belles.

In this thrilling fixture, it was Boro who started quick and Jess Mett came close to putting her side ahead with a volley that just whistled wide. Boro’s number 7, Ellen Turnbull, came close to scoring after Becky Ferguson put a good low ball in the box which was well met by Lauren Robson. As we moved deeper into the first half, the chances became more sparse with both teams becoming more cagey in their play.

On the 40 minute mark, Fylde striker Demi Devereaux put the hosts ahead with a tidy finish following an excellent ball into the box. With AFC Fylde leading at the break, Boro came out with a point to prove and just ten minutes into the second half, Lauren Robson’s long range free kick reverberated off the crossbar. As we moved into the latter stages of the game, Boro piled on the pressure with Millie Bell’s long range effort and substitute Amani Maxwell’s freekick coming close to getting the equaliser. AFC Fylde’s defence stood firm however.

It was in the dying moments of the game that Boro rescued a point after Maxwell’s corner fell nicely for Mett who fired the ball past the keeper. Although Fylde were denied a victory, this point is highly impressive considering Boro’s league position and the fact that they currently boast a record of 6 league games unbeaten. Make sure to keep an eye of AFC Fylde’s remaining fixtures as they fight to survive in the FAWNL.